Called to be free and to love others

Galatians 5:13 says, “13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus then you are called to be free. The definition of freedom is, the state of being free or at liberty, rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

All too often people are confined or restrained by their sinful nature. Sin causes havoc in our lives and it keeps us restrained under Satan’s thumb. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” We must allow the power of the cross to set us free from that yoke we once carried and start living as those who have hope and life.

We have not been set free in order that we might go and live however we wish. The freedom that Christ gives, was never meant to be taken for granted. We can’t just stomp on the grace that God gives us and expect not to have consequences. Even though I believe God’s grace covers all sin, I also believe that if we continue to slap Him in the face, He will slap back. Our scripture today says that we shouldn’t use our freedom to indulge in sin.

The scripture ends by telling us to serve each other in love. We must get outside our selfishness and take others in to consideration. Too often, we find people in our churches who want something done a certain way and they force that on others. We need to make sure we remember how Jesus told us to serve. Jesus got down on his knees and washed his disciples feet to show them and us how to serve.

When we take others feelings into consideration it makes them feel cared for. If we always do something our way and never consider our fellow man, we will definitely alienate someone along the way.

I have learned that it is always better to be kind and loving when dealing with people. That old saying, “you can draw more fly’s with honey than vinegar,’ is so very true. The word says, “Love conquers a multitude of sin.” If we truly believe in Jesus, then we will make an effort to deal with people in Love. The love of Christ is powerful and can change peoples lives in an instant. There is nothing better than seeing someone meet the needs of others because they love the Lord.

So Christian, I say all of that to tell you this. “Get busy serving your neighbors and stop being so focused on meeting your own selfish needs. If you will do this, God will look down on you with a smile from heaven and He will bless you beyond belief.”